Most Common Household Water Leaks And How To Fix Them!
The most common causes of water leaks in your house may not always exist where you expect them to. Most people think of burst pipes in the plumbing system when the word ‘leak’ is mentioned. And while this is sometimes the case, there are many other much more common causes of leaks that can slip under the radar and put strain on your water meter.
Here, we provide an extensive list of the most common water leaks in the home, followed by what you can do about them.
What are the most common household water leaks?
1. Washing machine leaks
There’s a good chance that your washing machine is the most water-consuming appliance in your home, using gallons at a time. So, it’s no surprise that even the smallest amount of damage or slightly loose fitting can cause a leak. This can stem from the water pipe, gasket, hose, pump or seal.
2. Dishwasher leaks
When it comes to water usage, dishwashers are up there with washing machines. Similarly, any damage to the hose or connecting parts can cause leaks. But even using the wrong cleaning product can cause your dishwasher to leak. Only ever use specified dishwasher soap or tablets to help prevent this.
3. Refrigerator leaks
Moisture in your refrigerator is generally nothing to worry about. To prevent it building up, there is a hole or drain line commonly found on the bottom level. However, when this becomes clogged or damaged, the water has nowhere to go – and it’s that that can cause leakage out of your fridge.
4. Toilet leaks
When a toilet bowl becomes clogged it’s prone to overflow, leaking water onto the floor. But other common causes of leaking toilets are linked to damaged components such as the fill, supply and flush valves, and the supply line. This can lead to water constantly flowing through the toilet.
5. Radiator leaks
A leaking radiator can be caused by corrosion in the main body or loose/faulty parts such as the valve, gland or spindle. Sometimes this is an easy fix, involving either replacing or tightening the parts. Other times, you’ll need the expert help of a plumber to prevent a progressive hot water leak.
6. Boiler leaks
A boiler (or water heater) contains lots of connecting parts which funnel water to and from the rest of your plumbing system. For example, when a pipe joint is loose or damaged, this can cause water to leak out. Additionally, high water pressure could also be the culprit of a boiler leak.
7. Shower head leaks
Just like a leaking tap, shower heads are known to drip even when the water supply is switched off. In most cases, this is down to a worn washer in the assembly of the head. These are fairly straightforward to replace and should be done as soon as possible to prevent an unnecessarily high water bill.
8. Overflow leaks
If the water level in your tank or cistern fills up higher than it should, the excess water flows down the overflow pipe and runs outside. But faulty float valves can prevent the cold-water feed from switching off, leading to leaks inside the home.
How Rainbow International can help
Whilst dripping taps and gushing dishwashers are fairly easy to identify, internal issues can go unnoticed. This can lead to serious water damage in your property. So, if you suspect water leaks in your home but can’t find the cause, contact Rainbow International immediately.
Our experts will use state-of-the-art equipment and non-invasive techniques to detect the leak. Once located, we can even fix the leak for you too, before restoring your home back to its previous condition. Learn more about our water leak detection service.